More people will use MKE this year than any previous year, as traffic is up 41% over last year.

Below is the text of an airport news release detailing this year's Christmas/New Year's holiday passenger traffic at MKE. Note the chart at the bottom detailing the busiest days. If you're flying out of MKE over the holidays, remember that the security lines at MKE can be long on busiest of days, especially in the morning hours. I'm not looking forward to the fact that I'm flying on YX the morning of the busiest day (12/23). (I'll have to actually get there more than an hour early, rather than waiting until the last minute!)


MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker announced more good news for Milwaukee County’s General Mitchell International Airport (GMIA) this year. GMIA has trimmed airfares and parking costs along with the tree this year, which translates into projections of a record number of passengers for the holiday season.

The total number of travelers using Mitchell International between December 19 and January 3 is expected to be 252,134, a 41.13 percent increase over last year. The busiest day will be December 23, with an anticipated 19,160 passengers. The Monday after Christmas comes in a close second with 19,138 air travelers.

The 2009 Christmas and New Year’s passenger projections are attached.
Tips for families traveling this holiday season:

• Review the TSA’s 3-1-1 program for details on what can be packed in a carry-on. (www.tsa.gov/311)

• When traveling with holiday gifts, remember to leave them unwrapped. Security officers may have to unwrap a gift if they need to take a closer look inside. This includes both carry-ons at the security checkpoint and checked baggage.

• Arrive early (1 ½ - 2 hours) to allow plenty of time for check-in and clearing security.

• Travelers with children:
Remember the dry snacks, coloring and activity books, portable video game systems and portable DVD players.
Take advantage of the children’s play areas and family restrooms conveniently located on all three concourses.
Remember that strollers have to go through security screening, so collapse and prepare them as you get close to the security checkpoint to make the process faster.

• Park in the Airport’s SuperSaver lot for just $5 a day and take the free shuttle to the terminal.

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Airport Christmas and New Year’s 2009/Page 2
Projected Number of Passengers (busiest day in yellow):
2008 2009
TOTAL TOTAL CHANGE
12/19 (Sa) 14647 -
12/20 (Su) 10580 12105 14.41%
12/21 (M) 12085 14734 21.92%
12/22 (Tu) 13605 16527 21.48%
12/23 (W) 13011 19160 47.26%
12/24 (Th) 12042 15363 27.58%
12/25 (F) 8249 13505 63.72%
12/26 (Sa) 9126 17925 96.42%
12/27 (Su) 13798 17286 25.28%
12/28 (M) 13675 19138 39.95%
12/29 (Tu) 12592 18158 44.20%
12/30 (W) 11456 16687 45.66%
12/31 (Th) 11421 14285 25.08%
1/1 (F) 9050 12275 35.64%
1/2 (Sa) 8846 15560 75.90%
1/3 (Su) 9739 14779 51.75%
1/4 (M) 9373 -
TOTAL 178648 252134 41.13%